VLC and RF Uplink Synchronization via Base Station Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing uplink communications, particularly in integrating visible light communications (VLC) with radio frequency (RF) links, leading to asynchronous numerologies and communication errors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a user equipment (UE) receiving an indication of resources from a base station via an RF link to support the transmission of uplink communications associated with downlink communications received via a VLC link, allowing for the use of semi-statically configured or dynamically scheduled resources, and including an indication of the VLC link's access point to synchronize and multiplex VLC and RF uplink communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If visible light communications are integrated with radio frequency links for uplink transmissions, then communication efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but asynchronous numerologies cause communication errors
Solution Approach 1:
The base station acts as an intermediary between the VLC access point and the UE, receiving downlink communications from the VLC AP via VLC link and transmitting associated uplink communications to the UE via RF link. This intermediary approach allows synchronization of numerologies at the base station level, resolving the asynchronous numerology issue while maintaining communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into separate downlink and uplink paths with distinct technologies (VLC for downlink, RF for uplink). This segmentation allows each link to operate with its own optimized numerology while the base station coordinates between them, preventing communication errors caused by asynchronous operations.
2Productivity
If uplink communications are routed through the core network, then network infrastructure utilization is improved, but latency increases and resources are not conserved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the uplink transmission path from the traditional core network routing by enabling direct transmission of uplink communications associated with VLC downlink to the VLC access point via the RF link. This extraction eliminates unnecessary core network forwarding, reducing latency and conserving network resources while maintaining infrastructure utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic resource allocation is used for uplink transmissions, then adaptability to varying communication conditions is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic resource allocation where the base station provides indications of resources for uplink transmissions via RF link. These resources can be dynamically scheduled based on communication conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying requirements while managing complexity through standardized scheduling protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station and via a radio frequency (RF) link, an indication of resources that support transmission, via the RF link, of an uplink communication associated with a downlink communication received via a visible light communications (VLC) link. The UE may transmit, via the resources, the uplink communication associated with the downlink communication received via the VLC link. Numerous other aspects are described.